Concentrations

The B.S. in Community Health and Wellness is a multidisciplinary degree program originating in the Health and Physical Education department. The community health education and health promotion industry is currently growing and evolving to support the health needs of ALL individuals and groups. Community health education, wellness and health promotion professionals possess the passion, interest and skills to help individuals and communities voluntarily adopt healthy behaviors and lifestyles. These specialists promote healthy lifestyles and wellness by:

Educating individuals and groups about health enhancing behaviors.

Assisting others to increase personal choices and skills that reduce health risks and enhance quality of life.

Tailoring health education and health promotion programs to meet individual and community needs.

Supporting and developing policy that supports community health education and health promotion efforts.

Advocating for the health education and health promoting needs of others.

Informing, Educating and Empowering Individuals and Communities to Achieve Healthy Lifestyles that Improve Health Status and Quality of Life.

Choose concentration A, B, C, D, or E below:

A. Community and Public Health Education

Prepares students to develop the knowledge base and skills necessary for careers in community and public health education settings. This concentration is designed to provide the background needed to plan, implement and evaluate health education and health promotion programs that support the health of the general public (birth to elderly).

Concentration Learning Goals:

Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and related experiences to adminster health education and promotion programs in community andpublic health settings including nonprofit and government organizations.

Serve as a resource person, linking individuals and communities to needed health services, advocating for diverse needs of the general public, and support health policy to guide and protect public health practice.

*Students cannot double-count this course if taken as a Core Course option

Total Credit Hours

84-88

B. Health and Aging

Prepares students to develop the knowledge base and skills needed to address health needs and health promotion for persons 65 years and older. Students will advance their understanding of where older Americans stand today regarding health status and influencing factors. Students will be able to plan and implement a variety of community-based health promotion efforts to help the elderly maintain and improve their health, independence and quality of life. Students may go on to complete the minor in Gerentology (Sociology Department.)

Concentration Learning Goals:

Critically evaluate and interpret current research for senior populations, including the impact of chronic disease, financial constraints, and mental health issues; and apply findings to health education and promotion programs.

Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and related experiences to implement health education and promotion programs at senior centers, YMCAs, senior residential facilities, etc., while advocating for the needs of an aging population and their caregivers.

Two Courses from

Total Credit Hours

84-88

C. Recreation and Leisure Studies

Prepares students to plan, implement and assess recreation programs and services that support wellness for the general public of all ages and specialized populations. Theoretical approaches to the study of recreation, sport and leisure as well as research methods for this field are studies. Students will master knowledge and skills necessary to develop and lead effective recreational programs aimed to promote well-being through physical activity from birth through elderly.

Concentration Learning Goals:

Demonstrate knowledge, planning, organizing, budgeting and promotion efforts in a variety of sport and recreation settings including YMCAs, YWCAs, after school programs, camp management, youth-at-risk programs and leadership programs in community and corporate settings.

Provide leadership in recreational settings, serve as a resource person, and advocate for the diverse recreation and leisure needs for the general public and specialized populations.

Total Credit Hours

78-81

D. Wellness and Movement Studies

Prepares students to plan, implement and assess health promotion preventive and rehabilitative services, including exercise programs, in a variety of settings. Scientific foundations related to human physiology and physical activity, kinesiology, exercise physiology, analyzing motor functioning, and creating specialized programs that improve motor functions across the lifespan are key components of this concentration. This program will also prepare students for admission into dvanced degree programs in exercise science, sports management, physical therapy and occupational therapy.

Concentration Learning Goals:

Promote wellness through education, and implementation of specialized programs that improve motor functions for individuals and communities throughout the lifespan

Demonstrate knowledge, skills and educational strategies to facilitate exercise and movement-based programs in worksites, health agencies, health/fitness centers, college/university and hospital settings while advocating for policies that support these programs.

Total Credit Hours

84-87

E. Women's Health

This concentration is for students who have an interest in developing a greater knowledge base regarding variables that influence wellness, health promotion programs, illness, health outcomes, and implications for policy development for women. Focus of study includes gender and society, victimology, women and justice, women and helath, and psychology of women. Students may go on to complete the minor in Gender and Women's Studies (Dept.).

Concentration Learning Goals:

Investigate, analyze and apply current findings critical for women's health promotion (e.g. gender imbalance, impact of research findings on physical and mental health of girls and women, role of empowerment, and best practices etc.).

Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and related experiences to administer and advocate for health education and promotion efforts in hospitals, health centers, shelters and other programs that service women.